BI/FUTOURISM/2026

Universidade da Madeira; Portugal; On-site; EUR 11,000 - 13,000; Full time

Job summary

Universidade da Madeira is inviting applications for a Research Grant under the FUTOURISM project. The role focuses on assessing physiological demands along hiking trails in Madeira Island, using wearable sensors and laboratory equipment. You will participate in data collection, fieldwork, and database management under Dr. Cíntia França.

The 12‑month fellowship may be renewed up to 24 months, with a monthly maintenance allowance of €1,090.98 and ERDF funding support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Sciences or related field and enrollment in a Master’s program.
• Experience with sensor-based data collection in field settings preferred.
• Ability to operate lab equipment for physiological assessments and prepare databases.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field and laboratory studies to assess physical and physiological demands of hiking trails.
• Collect and analyze data from wearable sensors during volunteer testing.
• organize and manage project databases and report findings to supervise.

Skills

Sensor data collection

Lab equipment operation

Portuguese language

English language

Education

Bachelor's degree in Sports Sciences

Enrollment in Master’s degree program in Sports Sciences

Tools

ActiGraph accelerometers

Polar H10

Zephyr BioHarness

InBody 770

Biodex Balance System

Optojump Next

Smart Groin Trainer

Job description

Organisation/Company Universidade da Madeira Research Field Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 3 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Atlantic/Madeira) Country Portugal Type of Contract Not Applicable Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 20 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

A call for applications is now open for the award of one (1) Research Grant under the project "FUTOURISM – Tourism for the Future: Inclusive, Regenerative and Digitally-Driven in Madeira Island" (reference: M2030-FEDER-03056600), subject to the following conditions:

I. Scientific Area: Sports Sciences

II. Admission Requirements:
a) General requirements:
a. Bachelor’s degree in Sports Sciences or related fields;
b. Enrollment in a Master’s degree program in the field of Sports Sciences.
b) Preferred requirements:
a. Experience in using sensors to collect physical and physiological data in field settings (e.g., ActiGraph accelerometers, Polar H10 or Zephyr Bioharness heart rate monitors);
b. Experience in operating laboratory equipment for physical fitness assessment (e.g., InBody 770, Biodex Balance System, Optojump Next, Smart Groin Trainer);
c. Proficiency in Portuguese and English (spoken and written).

III. Work Plan:
The work plan is part of the project "FUTOURISM – Tourism for the Future: Inclusive, Regenerative and Digitally-Driven in Madeira Island," with a focus on assessing the impact, risks, and physiological demands associated with the *levadas* (irrigation channels/trails) and hiking paths in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (RAM). In summary, the work plan will involve: (i) characterizing the analyzed routes based on terrain type, encountered obstacles, and weather and visibility conditions; (ii) consulting and analyzing data on recorded accidents; and (iii) conducting experimental studies using monitoring sensors (e.g., ActiGraph accelerometers, Polar H10 or Zephyr Bioharness heart rate monitors) to assess physical and physiological demands in field settings with volunteer participants. (iv) the assessment of various domains of physical fitness in a laboratory setting, using specialized equipment (InBody 770, Biodex Balance System, Optojump Next, Smart Groin Trainer); (v) the organization of databases containing the data collected throughout the project. A detailed work plan will be provided to the selected candidate.

a) General Objectives

• To conduct applied scientific research on the physiological demands associated with various hiking trails in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (RAM);
• To characterize the studied trails based on terrain type, encountered obstacles, and weather and visibility conditions;
• To analyze accident records on the *levadas* (irrigation channels) and hiking trails of the RAM;
• To support the strengthening of recommendations for safe participation in these types of activities.

b) Methodology

• The proposed methodology includes:
• Conducting experimental studies in both laboratory and field settings;
• Documentary analysis of accident records on the *levadas* and hiking trails of the RAM;
• Characterization of the trails using observation grids;
• Analysis and interpretation of results, with the aim of strengthening strategic and operational recommendations.

IV. Applicable legislation and regulations: The Research Fellowship Statute (in its current version), the University of Madeira’s Research Fellowship Regulations, and the FCT, I.P. (Foundation for Science and Technology) Research Fellowship Regulations (in their current versions).

V. Workplace: The work will be carried out at the Department of Physical Education and Sports of the University of Madeira, under the scientific supervision of Dr. Cíntia França.

VI. Duration of the fellowship: The fellowship will have an initial duration of 12 months. The fellowship contract may be renewed, up to a maximum total duration of 24 months.

VII. Monthly maintenance allowance: The scholarship amount is €1,090.98, in accordance with the table of values for scholarships awarded directly by FCT, I.P. within the country.

VIII. Funding: The scholarship awarded under this call for applications will be funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Madeira Regional Programme 2021–2027 (Madeira 2030), Portugal 2030, and the European Union | Operation Code: M2030-FEDER-03056600.

IX. Selection methods: The evaluation criteria to be applied are as follows:

• Curriculum evaluation: 60%
• Interview: 40%